Draft and buffing gear



July 14 1925.

F. E. STEBBINS DRAFT AND BUFFING GEAR 2' Sheet-Sheat 1 Filed Nov. 16, 1915 July 14, 1925. I 1,545,799

I F. E. STEBBINS DRAFT AND BUFFING GEAR Filed Nov. 16, 1915 2 Shets-Sheet 2 mmw iiilllllll Patented July 14, 1925.

UNITED STATES FRANK E. S'IEBBIN'Sa, OF WASHINGTON, DISElRIlIC'Il'. OF COLUMBIA.

DRAFT AND BUFFING GEAR..

Application filed November 16, 1915. Serial No. 61,775.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK E. STEBBINS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Washington, District of Columbia, have invented certain new and useful .Improvements in Draft and Bufiing Gears, of which the following is a specification.

Railway cars, especially those used for the trans ortation of freight, in service are subjected to severe bufiing strains far inexcess ofthe absorbing capacity of the impact or cushioning resistance means so far employed.

The strains in excess of the capacity of the boiling gear are transmitted to the under frame or gear itself and seriously damage the gear or frame, or both, to such an extent that the cars frequently must be withdrawn from service for repairs.

The main object of the present invention is the provision of efiicient means for transforming the energy of motion or the kinetic energy of a moving car or moving cars into work, that is, inducin changes 1n the elements comprising the raft and bufling gear which correspond to and equal the kinetic energy of the moving car cream, and without serious damage to the car frame or gear itself.

A supplemental object is the provision of means for ositively releasing the friction wedge emp oyed after a buifing impact and moving it to its normal position.

The invention consists in certain novelties of construction and relative combinations of parts as herein set forth and claimed.

The accompanying drawings illustrate one main example. and two modified examples of the embodiment of the invention constructed and arranged accordin to the best modes of procedure so far devlsed for the puppose lgure 1 is a to plan view of the entire gear,-the coupler ead being removed. Fi ure 2 is a sectional new in elevation of Figure 1 taken on the line 22.

Figure 3 is a cross section of Figure 1 on line 33 with the wedge omitted.

Fi ures 4 and 5 illustrate the second examp e, Figure 4 being a top planview of the wedge device and the end of the vertically disposed draft yoke, and Figure 5 a cross section of Figure 4 on line 5-5.

Figures 6, 7 and 8 show the third example, Figure 6 being a top plan view of the wedge device and the end of the horizontally disposed yoke, Figure 7 a cross section of Figure 6 on line 7-7, and Figure 8 a vertical section of Figure 6 on line 88.

In all the examples A'designates the parallel center sills or draft members to which the gear is applied, the beams shown being 15" steel .channels with their flanges ex tended outwardly, and B B designate the lower flanges of the beams.

In Figures 1 and 2 C, D are front and rear slots in the webs of the beams. The said slots receive the ends ofjkeys and to secure suitable bearing surfaces therefor slotted castings E E are riveted to the outer surfaces of the webs of the beams in a well known 'way, the slots in the webs and in the castings being in alignment. The front slots extend from a to a and the rearv slots from. b to b.

In Figures 1 to 5 F are cheek castin each having a bottom flange G secured i y rivets below and to the lower flange B of a channel, a top flange H and a vertical flange I both secured by rivets to the inner surface so of the web of a beam. Each casting has an inclined or beveled frictional bearing surface J, and to secure lightness in weight the casting may be cored, as indicated in, dotted lines. The webs of the beams and the cast- 35 ings are provided with openings K L and within them is located a 3" steel rod M having threaded ends and threaded nuts N applied thereto. Between the Webs ofthe beams and the nuts are perforated filler 0 blocks 0 through which the rod also passes, as shown.

' The parts so far described constitute the fixed or static elements of the gear, and with them are combined the movable parts which, in Figures 1 and 2, are as follows:

A horizontally disposed wedge yoke preferably cast in two similar halves P P, each comprising half of a wedge Q with a beveled surface R, an open slot S, a flange T and draft arms U, each arm having a front elongated slot W and a rear elongated slot X, the two flanges T,being united by rivets Z, as shown in- Figure 1.

A slotted draw bar shank c.

A front key all passed through the slot in the draw bar shank and tightly fitting the same and through the elongated slots in the'draft arms, the free ends being movable back and forth within the slots in the webs of the beams and in the reinforcing castings.

A follower block e having a slot f within which tightly fits a rear key 9, the ends of the said key being also passed through the elongated slots in the webs and castings of the beams and the elongated rear slots of the. draft arms.

It should be noted that the follower block and rear key can .move rearwardly from their normal positions shown a relatively short distance, for instance, 1% from such nomal positions. The space It between the .dotted lines indicates the distance therear key and block can move rearwardly until the edges of the key engage the metal bounding the elongated slots in the arms.

The springs 11 z', in this instance helical springs, each of approximately 30,000 pounds capacity located between the follower block and the flanges T T. To maintain the springs in properpositions the follower block is provided with projecting lugs j y' located within the openings of the springs and extended to within 1% of the flange T so that when the springs "e compressed in bufling the ends of the lugs will engage the flange T, at the same time the edges of the rear key passing through the spaces It frictionally engage the metal bounding the rear ends of the rear slots 1n the draft arms.

The mode of operation is as follows:

In buffing the draw bar and front key, the follower block and rear key move rearward- 1y, compressing the springs about 1% when the lugs j y engage the flange T and the rear edges of the rear key frictionally engage the metal bounding the rear slots in the draft arms. Then all the movable parts move rearwardly, forcing the wedge over the rod M and the surfaces R R along the beveled surfaces J J of the stationary cheek castings. Obviously, the cheek castings are forced apart and the rod subjected to a tensile strain, thus additionally transforming the energy of motion or kinetic energy into work, the lines of force being changed to directions at right angles to the length's'of the draft beams.

In the second example, Figures 4 and b, the mode of operation is substantially the same as set forth in' the first example. However, in this exam le the ordinary vertical draft yoke is use with its rear end located within an opening Z inthe wed e follower m, which latter is cast solid an slotted as and stretches the rod, as is obvious.

In thethird example, Figures 6, 7 and 8, the headed rod p is vertically disposed, the nut g on the threaded end bearing against a filler block 1', whichin turn engages a casting s secured to the sills and having a beveled surface t. A loose metallic block u having a beveled surface '0 and its rear edge engaging a rear abutment w is mounted upon the rod. and movable relative thereto. A slotted wedge :22 with beveled surfaces engaging the movable friction block and the inclined surface of the fixed casting s straddles the rod and is movable relative thereto. As the wedge is driven in the loose friction block at can move upward vertically and place the rod under tension. In this example a separate horizontally disposed yoke y is passed through a horizontal opening or slot 2, shown by dotted lines, in the wed e so that in drawing the wedge follower Wlll be pulled forwardly relative to the rod and the friction elements.

It will be noted that in all three examples provision is -made for withdrawing the wedge from between the cheek castings, or the two friction elements, after the bufling blow or impact has ceased, the same consisting in the draft arms U U, the vertical yoke k, and the horizontal yoke 3 each'of which being connected with the draw bar unseats the wedge in the act of drawing.

The rear key cannot move forwardly from its normal position, shown by the drawing, but all the movable parts can move rearwardly as far as the wedge can be forced between the cheek castings or two friction elements, inasmuch as the gear is designed for use with cars which do not have horn or strike plates which limit the rearward movement of the draw bar.

From the foregoing description it is clear that the strains of impact in bufling will induce changes in the elements of the gear, consisting mainly in the moving of a metallic wedge in frictional contact with the inclined surfaces of the cheek castings and subjecting to tensile strains a rod or bar disposed substantially at right angles to the lines of force occasioned by the act of buffing; also that means are provided for releasing the wedge after an impact and re-' turning the same to its normal position.

In practice 7 it is suggested that the threaded ends of the rod M be of larger diameters than the body portion so the body portion can stretch under impact and not rupture or break off a threaded end of the .rod.

Obviously, the cheek castings, wedge and anchored rod or bar may be used in connection with other types of draft and bufling gears as a supplemental means for absorbing the shocks of impact in bufiing, and the scope of the claims is not limited to this feature of the invention in combination with the specific draft and bufiing gear herein described.

What I claim is:

1. The combination of a car draft member or members, a primary draft and bufling mechanism having shock absorbing means, a reciprocating draw bar connected with said mechanism, and a supplemental shock absorbing mechanism comprising friction elements and a rod or bar which is subjected to tensile strains in buifing, said supplemental mechanism'being connected with the draw bar so that in drawing the friction elements will be released.

2. The combination of a car draft member or members, a primary draft and buffing mechanism having shock absorbing means, a reciprocating draw bar connected with said mechanism, and a suplemental shock absorbing mechanism comprising friction elements one of them secured. to the draft beam or beams, a rod or bar connecting said elements, and a friction wedge engaging the elements which wedge in bull'- ing forces the said elements apart and subjects the rod or bar connecting them to tensile strains, said friction wedge being united to the draw bar by straps or arms so that in drawing the wedge will be released from the friction elements.

3. The combination of a car draft mem ber or members, a primary draft and buffing mechanism having shock absorbin means, a reciprocating draw bar connecte with said mechanism, and a supplemental shock absorbing mechanism comprising two perforated metallic elements one of them secured to the draft members, a rod or bar passing, through the perforations in the said elements and uniting them, and a friction wedge located between said elements, which wedge sub'ects the rod or bar to tensile strain in bu ng, the said wedge being connected with the draw bar whereby it is released from the said metallic elements in drawing.

4. The combination of a draft member or members, a primar draft and bufling mechanism havin shoe absorbin means, a reciprocating raw bar, a supp emental shock absorbin mechanism comprising separate frictiona elements both secured to the draft member or members, means uniting said elements, and afriction wedge, and means connectin the wedge with the draw bar, whereby in rawing the wedge will be unseated;

said primary draft and buffing mechanism having initial rearward movement and when the shock-absorbing means are in part or wholly operated bodily movable rearwardly with the Wedge when the latter is forced between the said friction elements.

5. The combination of draft members, a primary'draft and bufling gear having shock absorbing means, and a supplemental shock absorbing means; said means including frictional elements in connection with the draft members, a slotted drawbar, a draft key within the slot of the drawbar with its ends extended outside the drawbar, and means carrying a frictional element connecting the key outside the drawbar with thcshock absorbing means of the primary draft and buffing gear, the arrangements being such that the two shock absorbing means are separated in drawing.

6. The combination of draft members, primary draft and bufling gear having shock absorbing means, a reciprocating draw bar having a slot, a supplemental shock absorbing mechanism, a key in the slot of the draw bar, and means consisting of side arms or bars connecting the key and the supplemental shock absorbing mechanism, whereby in drawing the supplemental shock absorbing mechanism will positively be released.

7. The combination of draft members, a primary draft and bufling'gear having shock absorbing means, a reciprocating draw bar, supplemental shock absorbing mechanism embracing a wedge and frictional elements fixed to the draft members said wedge serving as a rear follower for the primary shock absorbing means, and means connecting the wedge follower with the draw bar.

1 8. The combination of draft members, a primary draft and bufiing gear having shock absorbing .means, a reci rocating draw bar, a

a supplemental shock a sorbing mechanism embracing a wedge and frictional elements sald Wedgeservmg as a rear follower for the primary shock absorbing means, and

means consisting of side arms connecting the wedge follower with the draw bar.

9. The combination of draft members, a primary draft and buffing gear having shock absorbing means, a reciprocating draw bar, a supplemental shock absorbing mechanism embracing a wedge and frictional elements said wedge serving as a rear draw bar, a supplemental shock absorbing mechanism brought fully into action only after the first mentioned shock absorbing mechanism. has performed its work, and means connecting the same with the key in the draw bar, said means being lowiththe key so the draw bar and key may have a limited rearward movement to operate the primary shock absorbing means.

12., The combination of slotted draft members, areciprocating draw bar having a slot, a key within the slots of the draft members and draw bar, primary shock ab'-. sorbing means, a follower limiting the forward movement of said means in drawing, supplemental shock absorbing means embracing a wedge, slotted side arms connecting the wedge with the key in the draw bar, and, friction elements supported by the grzfififlt1 members and engaged by the wedge in 13. The combination of slotted draft members, a reciprocating draw bar having a' slot, a key within the slots of the draft members and draw bar, primary shock absorbing means, a follower limiting the forward movement of said means in drawing, supplemental shock absorbing means embracing a Wedge, slotted side arms connecting the wedge with the key in the draw bar, and friction elements comprising two cheek castings secured to the draft members, a rod passing through the said castings and draft members and holding the same against excessive spreading, the said castings being engaged by the wedge in bufiing.

'14. The combination of slotted draft members, primary shock absorbing means, supplemental shock absorbing mechanism 10- cated at the rear of the said primary shock absorbing means, a slotted draw bar having a key in the slot, slotted means connecting the supplemental shock absorbin mechanism with the draw bar key, an a front follower supported by a key which has its ends supported in the slots, of the draft members for-limiting the forward movementof the primary shock absorbing means in drawing.

, 15. The combination of slotted draft members, prima shock absorbing means consisting of two elical springs located side by side, supplemental shock absorbing mechanism located at the rear of the saidprimary shock absorbing means, a slotted draw bar having a key in the slot, slotted means connecting the supplemental shock absorbing mechanism with the draw bar key, and a ront follower su ported by a key which has its ends locate within the slots of the draft members for limiting the forward movement of the helical springs in drawing.

16. The combination of draft members, a slotted draw bar, a key within the slot of the draw bar, primary shock absorbing means consisting of two helical springs located in a vertical plane, a front follower for limiting the forward movement of said springs in drawing, and supplemental shock absorbing means located at the rear of said helical springs and said means comprising elements supported by the draft members and also an element serving as a rear follower for the springs united to the key within (:he draw bar by side arms slotted at the en s.

17. The combination of draft members, a slotted draw bar, a key within the slot of the draw bar, primary shock absorbin means, means for limiting the forwar travel of the same in drawing, supplemental shock absorbing means at the rear of the primary shock absorbing means comprising in part elements supported by the draft members and also an element serving as a rear follower for the primary shock absorbing means, and means having elongated slots at the ends engaging the said key and connected with said element serving as a rear follower.

18. The combination of draft members, a slotted draw bar, a key within theslotted draw bar, primary shock absorbing means, means for limiting the forward movement of the same in drawing, supplemental shock absorbing means embracin an element supported by the draft mem ers and also an element serving as a rear follower, said latter element being connected to the draw bar key by rigid slotted arms located at the sides of the primary shock absorbing means.

19. The combination of draft members having elongated slots, draft arms having elon ated slots, a slotted draw bar, a key within the front slots of the draft arms and the draw bar, a key within the rear slots in the arms and in the draftmembers, a follower supported upon the last mentioned key, primary shock absorbing means back of sa1d follower, and supplemental shock absorbing-means located back of the primaryshock absorbing means, whereby when the primary shock absorbing means have been operated the sup lemental shock absorbing means may receive the supplemental kinetic energy of impact.

20. The combination of slotted draft members, a slotted draw bar, slotted draft arms, a key connectin "the draw bar and draft arms, a 'key wit in the slots of the draft members and draft arms, a follower on the key, a wedge in connection with the draft arms, shock absorbing means between the follower and wedge, cheek castings on the draft members adapted to be en aged by the wedge in bufling, and a ro passed through the said castings and the draft members and adapted to take the strains transmitted to the same by the wedge.

21.- The combination with'draft members, of cheek castings secured to the same and each perforated, a rod within the perforations and holes in the draft members and the ends extended, filling means on the rod engaging the draft members, means for ad- ]usting the cheek castings, as a nut or nuts on the rod, a wedge,a draw bar, and means for connecting the wedge and draw bar.

22. Means for absorbing supplemental shocks of impact in a draft and bufiing gear comprising two metallic friction elements one of them secured to the draft members,

metallic means uniting the said elements,

and a wedge ada ted to be forced between" said elements an impart tensile strains to the said means connecting the elements, means being provided between the draw bar and wedge for unseating the wedge in the act of drawing. r

23. The combination with draft members, of two cheek castings each having a beveled surface and secured to the members, a wedge adapted to engage the beveled surfaces of the castings in bufiing and force them apart, means for uniting the castings which limits the spreading of the same apart and is subjected to tensile strains in bufling, and means for unseating the wedge 'n drawing. I

24. The combination ith the draft members, of two cheek castings secured thereto, a rod or bar passed throu h the castings, filling meanson the rod or ar, means, as a nut or nuts, on the rod to force the parts towards one another,- a wedge enga ing the castings and imparting strains to t e same and to the rod or bar in bufiing, and means for unseating the wed e in drawing.

25. A yoke for dra t and bufiing gear of a general U shape for surrounding shock absorbing means, slotted at the front to receive a key for securing the yoke to a drawbar and its rear end exteriorly fashioned to a wed e shape.

26. yoke for draft and buffing gear "comprising two arms slotted at their front ends to receive a key and the rear ends exteriorl fashioned to form a wedge,

27. he comblnation in a draft and bufling 'gear, of draft members, frictional elements supported by the draft members, a drawbar. having a slot, a key in the slot, a wedge adapted to engage the frictional elements, slotted means connecting the key and wedge,

and shock absorbing means between the,

wedge and drawbar. p v v 28. The combination with draft members, of a slotted draw bar, a key, a wedge yoke with slotted arms, shock absorbing means between the draw bar and the wedge of the yoke, and frictional elements supported by the draft members and engaged by the wedge in bufling.

29. Draft' and bufiing gear comprising a frame, a drawbar, shock absorbing means arranged to be actuated by force applied alternately at opposite ends thereof in buffing and drawing, resisting friction means carried'by the frame, and a friction member movable rearwardly by the drawbar; the drawbar in buflin thrusting said friction member against said resisting friction means and holding it in engagement therewith while said shock absorbing means is being actuated, the said resisting friction means transmitting all the unabsorbed strains directly to'said frame.

30. Draft and buffing gear comprising a frame, a drawbar, shock absorbing means being actuated, the said resisting friction means transmitting all the unabsorbed shocks directly to the frame;

.31. Draft and bufling gear comprising a frame, a drawbar, resisting friction means carried by the frame, shock absorbing means which opposes the movement of the drawbar in both directions and is actuated by force alternately applied to opposite ends thereof, a movable friction member adapted to be moved upon the resisting friction means inbuffing only, and means connecting the drawbar and movable friction member adapted to move said friction member forwardly in drawing; the shock absorbing means being bodily movable rearwardly in bufiing and the resisting friction means transmittin all the unabsorbed strains directly to said i 'rame.

32. Draft and bufling ear comprising a frame, a drawbar, a spring adapted to be compressed in bufiing and drawing, resisting friction means, carried by the frame, a movable friction member connected by suitable means to the drawbar and adapted to be thrust against the resisting friction means in bufling and to be released in drawing, said movable friction means constituting a rear abutment for the spring and being actuated after the sprin has been compressed to its designed limit n bufiing, and said resisting friction means transmitting all unabsorbed"- strains to the frame.

33. Draft andbufiing gear comprising a frame, a drawbar,""resisting friction means including a rod or bar carried by the frame, primary shock absorbing means which resists the movement of the drawbar in its forward and rearward movements, and a movable friction member adapted to be actuated by the drawbar in bufiing and moved againstthe resisting friction means and subject the rod or bar to tensile strains, thesaid friction means, including the rod or bar and the said friction member, constituting a secondary shock absorbing means.

34. Draft and bufiing gear comprising a frame, a drawbar, resisting friction mean's includin a horizontally disposed rod or bar carried y and with its ends extended beyond the frame, primary shock absorbing means which resists the movement of the drawbar, and a movable friction member adapted to be actuated by the drawbar in buifing and moved against the resisting friction means said resisting friction means, including the horizontally disposed rod and said movable friction member, constituting a supplemental shock absorbing means.

35. Draft and butting gear comprising a frame, a drawbar, primary shock absorbing means adapted to resist the movement of the drawbar in both its rearward and forward movements, and supplemental frictional shock absorbing means including resisting friction means on the frame,and a friction member which constitutes a rear abutment for the primary shock absorbing means and bodily movable rearwardly with the same and actuated fully inbuffing only after the primary shock absorbing means has been actuated to its limit, means being provided for releasing the supplemental shock absorbingmeans upon the forward movement of the drawbar, said resisting friction means transm-itting all the unabsorbed strains to the frame.

36. Draft and bufling gear comprising two beams, a drawbar, and primary and supplemental shock absorbing means; the supplemental means comprising a movable fri'ctional member actuated by the drawbar in buffing, friction elements located between the said beams, and means uniting the said beams; the rearward movement of the movable friction member separating the friction elements located between the beams and subjecting the means uniting the beams to tensile strains, and thus absorbing the strains unabsorbed by the primary shock absorbing means.

37 In a draft and bufling-gear, the combination with a drawbar having a slot, of a metallic yoke slotted at the front end and at the rear end exteriorly of a wedge shape, and a key withinthe slots of the drawbar and yoke, .the construction being such that the drawbar can slide a limited distance relative to the yoke.

38. The combination in a draft and bufiing gear, of a drawbar, a U-shaped yoke, a wedge in connection with the yoke and means connecting the three so the drawbar can move rearwardly relative to the wedge in buffing.

39. A draft and bufling gear having a 7 frame including two beams spaced apart, a tension rod or bar located in and with its ends extended beyond the beams, compression filling pieces between the ends of the rod or bar and the beams, a resistance friction element in connection with the rod or bar, a drawbar, a .movable friction element, and means connecting the drawbar and the movable friction element.

40. Draft and bufling gear comprising a frame, resisting friction means su ported by the frame, a drawbar, a movab e friction member, means connecting the movable friction member .with the drawbar, a front follower, and shock absorbing means between the follower and the movable friction member; the arrangement being such that in bufling the shock absorbing means is first actuated and then the shock absorbing means and the movable friction member both,

moved rearwardly forcing'the movable friction member against the resisting friction means so the unabsorbed strains are transmitted directly to the frame through the resisting friction means, the drawbar in drawing releasing the movable friction member and actuating the shock absorbing means.

41. A draft and bufiin ar having beams spaced apart, resisting ction means supported by said beams, primary shock absorbing means, a drawbar, a yoke for actuating the shock absorbing means, a movable wedge frictionmember adapted to engage the resisting friction means upon rearward movement of the drawbar, and me- 1 a drawbar having free rearward travel, a

key passed through the shank of the drawbar and having limited travel within slots in the sills, primary cushioning means, secondary cushioning means full brought into action after the primary cus 'oning means has been actuated, and means connecting the drawbar with the primary cushioning means, the key limiting the rearward move ment of the drawbarshould the secondary cushioning means he ruptured.

43.. The combination in a draft and buffing gear, of a car under frame, front and rear shock absorbing devices each yieldable one of greater capacity than the other arranged in line,-a yoke, adrawbar, means conmating the yoke to'the draw-bar so the latter is movable rearwardly relative to the yoke to actuate the front shock absorbing device, and stop bearing means on the under frame for the rear shock absorbing device,

whereb the rear shock absorbin device takes t e strains unabsorbed by t e front shock absorbing device.

" 4:4. The combination in a draft and bufling gear, of a slotted drawbar, primary and supplementary shock absorbing devices each eing yieldable, all three disposed in line, a

yoke slotted at its front end, and a key connecting the drawbar and yoke so the former can move rearwardly relative to the yoke in buffing.

45. The combination in a draft and bufling gear, of -a supportin frame,friction elements supported by t e frame, a wedge cooperatin with the said friction elements,

shock a sorbing means in front of the Wedge, a drawbar, and a draft member uniting the drawbar and wedge in such a way that in buffing the drawbar may move rearwardly relative to the wedge and primarily actuate the shock absorbing means in front ofthe Wedge, and in drawing actuate the said shock absorbing means only when the wedge is moved forwardly with the said draft member.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

FRANK E. 'STEBBIN'S. 

